Lake, Ciara - Xihirah [Xihiran Shifters 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) (9 page)

Kael partially separated from her, and he whispered, “Let’s go to the bed.” Saleeya was suddenly chilled from the loss of his body’s warmth. “I don’t want to take you against the wall our first time mating. That’ll be for later.” He looked down at her with the lust-frenzied eyes of a male not quite human, something more. He pulled her toward the door toward the bedchamber. Saleeya’s legs were like rubber bands. She could barely stand without his assistance. The desire she was feeling made her weak. She leaned into him for support, for comfort.

Saleeya pulled back, her face heated with shame. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m sorry. I’ve totally lost my mind.” Panic tightened her voice into a squeak.

Kael smiled. His incisors flashed. His hands trailed up and down her back. “I know what we’re doing. Come here, sweet Saleeya. Lay down with me. I’ll give you pleasure,” he promised her. Gently, he guided her toward the bed. His hands skillfully roamed over her body. She loved the feel of his large hands on her. Her breasts, achingly tender, made her nearly beg him to touch them, kiss them.

Swift reality crashed down on her like a bucket of ice. “Stop, Kael,” Saleeya repeated more sternly this time. “I can’t do this.” Kael stopped, watched her. His eyes were wild, beautifully inhuman. He noticeably braced himself with iron control to heed her command. His breathing was heavy, his tan face was flushed, and she heard what sounded like a growl come from his throat. He cocked his head, smiled down at her predatorily. His enlarged canines were exposed.

In a roughened voice, Kael responded. “Sweet Saleeya, I’ll not hurt you. We’ll mate. You’re mine. My beast is close to the surface. It needs release.”

Saleeya, puzzled by his statements, explained, “Kael, I’ve never been with anyone. I can’t do this with you. I don’t know you. I’m not like that. Not to mention, I’ll shame the Kriton Ministry, the Council, and myself. We must stop. You have fangs. Are they dangerous?”

“You’ve nothing to fear. Go ahead and lay down, I won’t hurt you. I’d never force you. I want you to want me, to have no regrets about what we do,” Kael whispered, his voice rough with emotion. Saleeya obediently lay down on the bed. She didn’t want him to leave her, but was afraid to tell him so. Saleeya lay down on the bed and tightly closed her eyes. She lay there for several seconds. Finally the bed gave as he climbed onto it next to her. She was relieved that he had not just left her. Her eyes were still closed as she rolled onto her side. Saleeya could feel him right up against her back. Kael placed his arm around her waist, pulled her back into him. Again, she could feel his breath near her ear, “We’ll rest here together.” He kissed her neck. “You sleep, I’ll calm down. I’ll wake you when it’s time to go to our midday meal.”

Saleeya could not rest. Her stomach was in knots. Saleeya swallowed back her nerves. Shock tangled with arousal flowed through her blood.

* * * *

Kael shifted the warm weight, as foreign as Kriton, in his arms. Restless, her whimpers revealed much about her unrest. He sensed a high-energy personality behind the prim façade she showed. It had taken more than a few minutes for her to settle down. Still he wasn’t certain she was truly sleeping. She needed sleep.

The contentment he’d found holding her allowed his inner beast to eventually calm. In his forty-six years, he’d never experienced such a surge of intense desire. The powerful rush of emotion was overpowering. There was no doubt in his mind she was his mate. Every pore of his body screamed that fact to him. Grateful to Xian, his creator, for bestowing the lovely Saleeya upon him, he gave a quick, silent prayer of thanks. She was perfect, beautiful, and intelligent. She was attracted to him. Xian had placed this unexpected gift directly in his path. Kael was determined to keep and protect her.

His mind and body roared from the effect of the mating hormones. Regret ate at him for coming on strong with her. Saleeya’s enchanting personality had intoxicated him, opening his hormonal floodgates and weakening his better judgment. The mating hormones struggled to take control of him and his actions.

Xihirian males could come on strong when they unexpectedly encountered their mates. If Saleeya understood the battle he faced, she would never have trusted to rest in his arms. From the moment the mating hormone released he had struggled for control like never before. Hearing of the tales of rapture that the males experienced did not prepare him for his experience. Memories of his fervent kisses on her mouth and skin stirred him to arousal again. Freely he had shared the mating hormone. Its spicy flavor flowed free in his saliva. Xihirians’ enhanced sense of smell would enable them to recognize the mating scent on him. The hormone would not wash off. It marked her. To other Xihirians she would smell as if she belonged to him.

To consummate the mating he needed to release his seed inside her. The hormone would bind Saleeya to him. Even now, Saleeya would feel a deeper attraction toward him. The mating hormone worked rapidly. However, the effects would dissipate without additional kisses and skin to skin contact until he buried his seed deep within her womb. Only then would she be irreversibly his.

* * * *

She struggled to find rest while his warm hard body was pressed against hers. Saleeya whispered, “Kael.”

“Saleeya, shush, don’t say anything right now.” Kael caressed her hair.

“Okay.” Saleeya shivered from his touch.

“My control’s barely hanging on.” Kael kissed her hair. “For both our sakes, it’s best if I leave you to rest. I’ll return for you soon.”

“All right.” Saleeya nodded, trembling when he withdrew his arm from around her. She did not move. “Thank you, Kael.”

“Don’t,” Kael ground out. “Don’t thank me. Go to sleep while you still can. There’ll be much to do in the coming days.” The bed shifted as he moved off it. Saleeya kept her eyes closed until she heard him quietly exit her room. The door clicked behind him. Her heart stumbled as tears rolled silently down her face. Surrendering to her exhaustion, sleep finally overcame her potent emotions.

* * * *

“Saleeya, wake up.” Mia gently touched her shoulder. “It’s time for you to get ready. I’m here to help you.” Thinking she was dreaming, Saleeya woke confused.

Groggy from sleep, her mind simmering from the arousal throbbing in her body, Saleeya bolted upright. Searching for the speaker, her gaze darted wildly around the room. “What? Oh no, Mia, am I late for the midday meal? Who let you in?” Saleeya squeaked, her hands pushing her hair from her face.

“The Admoncor let me in. He sent me in here to wake you,” Mia coolly answered.

Saleeya pushed the covers aside, her hands fixing her clothes.
How long have I slept.

“Saleeya, are you all right?” Concern thickened Mia’s voice. Mia walked over to where Saleeya was sitting on the edge of the bed. “Why is the Admoncor in your suite?” Mia demanded. “Has he been here the whole time?” Mia’s tone was agitated. Saleeya could see concern on her frowning face.

Saleeya glanced at the other woman. Mia gazed at her, her look disapproving. Saleeya ignored the look, fidgeting with her hair.

“Mia, just help me find another gown. I’ve got to get ready,” Saleeya snapped.

“All right, there’s no need to bite my head off.” Mia shook her head. “Is there something I should know about?”

“What? No, there’s nothing,” Saleeya bit out tightly. “Like what?” She purposely made an exaggerated expression, contorting her features.

“Nothing, I’m sure there’s a simple explanation for Kael’s presence here.” Mia shrugged her shoulders. “Here’s your deep green gown. It should be comfortable, plus the color is nice with your hair.” She held up the garment. “Before we leave to meet up with the others, we need to talk.” Mia sat down next to Saleeya on the bed.

“Talk about what?”

“I’m concerned about Admoncor Braeden being here all this time. I’m worried for you. No one else needs to know he was here all this time. You must focus on your function here…Not be confused by the handsome Prince.”

“I am focused on my function!” Saleeya enunciated each word. “I’m not confused. Anyway, your function isn’t to tell me what my function is,” Saleeya smartly retorted, glaring daggers at Mia.

“Wow, are you irritable.” She shook her head.

“I’m not irritable,” Saleeya denied in a further irritated tone.

“Okay, if you say so.”

“My duty’s to encourage peaceful negotiations. Hopefully, that’ll result in helping to eliminate the terrorists from this galaxy. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. No worries.”

“Oh Saleeya, let’s not have words. I only want to make sure you’re safe.” Mia helped Saleeya close the back of her dress. “I arrived some time ago, Saleeya. Admoncor Braeden let me in. I was stunned when he answered the door. He asked me to let you sleep for a while longer. While we waited for you to wake, I had the opportunity to talk to him. I told him we were best friends from when we attended the University of Kriton. His attitude warmed toward me. I can tell he really likes you.” Mia paused, and her gaze narrowed, fury lacing it. “Did the Admoncor hurt you, Saleeya?” Mia demanded, her hands on her hips.

“No.” Saleeya shook her head adamantly. “Why would you think that?”

“I’m just asking.”

“I’m fine. He’s fine. With everything happening, I’m just a bit unsteady. I didn’t mean to be cross with you.” Saleeya touched Mia’s arm, guilt easing her grip. “I’m tired and hungry. I know you care about me. There’s a lot of responsibility on both of our shoulders at the moment. I guess it just now hit me. Let me finish getting ready. He’s waiting on us.” Saleeya smiled wistfully. “I hate to keep him waiting any longer.”

Mia flushed. “Of course, Saleeya, I’ll let you finish up here. You’re right. We mustn’t delay. The Admoncor told me that we should get the Minister and Jarvin in fifteen minutes. I’m looking forward to the pleasant change to sit down to a meal without having to worry about a schedule.”

“I hope Vitalion isn’t angry with me for not meeting with him before the meal,” Saleeya suddenly worried aloud.

“I’m afraid that Vitalion will be angry no matter what,” Mia replied sagely. “He’s always angry.”

* * * *

Kael paced the living area with great, ground-devouring strides. His gaze met Mia’s when she entered the room. “Admoncor,” Mia timidly called to him, “Saleeya will be ready to leave soon.” Mia settled on the settee.

“Thank you,” Kael nodded, watching her. Continuing to pace the room, he knew he resembled a caged animal. Mia watched him. He noted she had a frown of disapproval on her face. Her lips were pinched, brow wrinkled.

“Is something wrong?” Mia stiffly asked.

“No, I’m a bit impatient,” Kael offered as he ran his hands through his hair, pushing it back off his forehead.

“I see.” Mia looked down as she fiddled with her hands.

Kael had tried to be reasonably pleasant to Mia when she had arrived to check on Saleeya. Mia’s expression had been one of shock when he answered the door. He noticed that she tried not to appear too uneasy attempting to initiate pleasant conversation. After a couple of failed attempts to converse, he was certain that she had given up. But she didn’t. After informing him that Saleeya and she were good friends, he attempted to be friendlier. Pumping her for information about Saleeya, he also shared things about himself and Xihirah.

Kael felt Mia’s stare bore into him as he walked about the room. The woman was curious and certainly concerned for her friend. Appreciating her concern, Kael felt more tolerant of her presence. The mood was already tense. He was not looking forward to his upcoming interactions with Vitalion. He disliked Vitalion more and more. Vitalion was too socially inept to be a politician. The man could never comprehend social cues. Constantly he put his foot in his mouth. Vitalion was insulting, never even realizing it. Xihirians had a magical sense about people. They knew things that otherwise could be hidden from Earthen humanoids. Kael realized that Vitalion was corrupt.

* * * *

The bedroom door burst open, and Saleeya rushed into the living room, full of energy.

“Mia,” Saleeya called out. Mia was used to Saleeya’s energy expenditures. Saleeya knew she could make others tired with her exuberant personality. As she rushed over to Mia, Saleeya noticed Kael out of the corner of her eye, leaning against the wall across from her bedroom door. The male was sexy, huge, and a deadly predator. More clearly, she realized that she was in big trouble. He had not been playing, and he would not forget what they had shared. Seeing him reclining against the wall, eyeing her, confirmed that suspicion. The problem was, she wanted what he offered, and that scared her.
I’ll think about that later.
. It appeared Kael was back to his normal pre-aroused state.
Thank Deity.
“Mia, could you help me pin my hair up on my head? I found some pins.” Saleeya stopped in front of Mia and handed her some simple pins for her hair.

“Sure, sit down here.” Mia got up, patting the settee with her hand. “I’ll do it for you.” Saleeya sat where Mia had been sitting.

“Do you have anything better than these pins? Where are your barrettes or pretty combs?” Mia gathered Saleeya’s hair in her hands.

“I left them at home. It seems I forgot a few things. I should’ve asked you or Mom to double check my bags. I had so many things going on in my brain when I was packing. You know me.” Saleeya, exasperated with herself, sighed.